By Andrew Warshaw
January 2 – The eagerly awaited start of the Egyptian league this season, due to have taken place at the third time of asking on December 30, has been postponed yet again – this time until February 1 to allow for the necessary restructuring to be put in place.
Following a meeting between the Egypt Football Association and government officials at the weekend, it was agreed that the first round of matches will be played behind closed doors.
There has been no league football in Egypt since the rioting last February at the Al Masry-Al Ahli clash in Port Said that claimed 74 lives.
The 2011-12 season was delayed and attempts to get the new campaign underway in September were postponed. Fans damaged football association headquarters in Cairo contributing to the unease around the resumption of the league.
The EFA set two subsequent dates – October 17 and December 17 – but neither was met because of government intervention amid fears games could be further disrupted by continuing civil disorder.
As a result, it has now been decided that the Egyptian Premier League will be played over two groups — starting exactly a year after the deadly riots.
Defending champions Al-Ahly have been drawn in Group A along with ENPPI, Harras El-Hodoud, Ghazl El-Mahalla, Beni Suef Telephones, Wadi Degla, Maqassa, Smouha and Gouna.
Zamalek, Ahly’s traditional rivals, were paired on Group B alongside Ismaily, Dakhleya, Ittihad of Alexandria, El-Inttag El-Harby, Ittihad Al-Shorta, Petrojet, Talae El-Geish and Arab Contractors.
The winners and runners-up of each group will qualify for the semifinals.
Ahly fans have warned that the league must remain suspended until courts investigating those killed in the Port Said disaster reach a verdict. Hardcore supporters had vowed to disrupt any domestic match held before the courts reached a decision – now due on 26 January, a week before the league’s rescheduled start.
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